Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.


Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.


NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

  • Jack Porter, Program Director
  • Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Eric Aboodi, Policy Analyst
  • Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst

Focus Areas

  • Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
  • Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
  • Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
  • Outdoor recreation & economic development  
  • Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
  • IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
  • Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

  • Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
  • Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
  • Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
  • Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
  • Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

Computer Science Education and The Workforce

Computer Science Education and The Workforce

Governors, First Spouses, industry partners and national experts met in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss K-12 computer science education, the focus of the NGA Chairman’s Initiative. By Catherine Van Ness Photo: ...
Making the Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Making the Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the 2022 NGA Winter Workforce Symposium, State workforce development leaders engaged with business leaders and subject matter experts on the benefits of advancing equitable employment for underserved and marginalized ...
Empowering Returning Citizens to Connect to Higher Education and Employment Opportunities

Empowering Returning Citizens to Connect to Higher Education and Employment Opportunities

The 2022 NGA Winter Workforce Symposium Highlight featured a session on empowering people leaving prison in the workforce through connecting them to higher education and employment opportunities. by Rachel Hirsch ...
States Collaborate to Combat Health Worker Shortage

States Collaborate to Combat Health Worker Shortage

14 states join National Governors Association (NGA) program focused on strategies to grow and retain the next generation of the health care workforce. WASHINGTON – California, Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming ...
Addressing the Dearth of Digital Skills Data: Opportunities for States

Addressing the Dearth of Digital Skills Data: Opportunities for States

Governors are working to address the digital skill divide and upskill local workforces for the future. by Katherine Ash States across the nation are advancing digital equity by forming coalitions, ...
State Workforce System Leaders Highlight Shared Challenges and Opportunities for Partnership at Bi-Annual Workforce Symposium

State Workforce System Leaders Highlight Shared Challenges and Opportunities for Partnership at Bi-Annual Workforce Symposium

State workforce development boards and agencies play a crucial role in driving innovation and best practices that lead to better educational and employment outcomes for their constituents. by Rachael Stephens ...
National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

The Association provides a vehicle for state workforce board chairs and staff directors to learn from the experiences of others in similar positions, share best practices and solutions to shared ...
National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships

National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships

The Association offers an orderly and effective means for state representatives to collectively speak on issues of concern related to workforce and economic development, with a connection to and platform ...
Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

Through this program NGA provides state workforce system leaders with best practice research, strategic planning and meeting facilitation, access to federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on ...

Economic Policy Library

National Governors Association Leadership Urges Senate to Approve State Stabilization Funding

National Governors Association Leadership Urges Senate to Approve State Stabilization Funding

‘Fight the Virus Together and Make an Economic Recovery a Reality’ Governors Larry Hogan of Maryland, the National Governors Association chair, and Andrew Cuomo of New York, the NGA vice ...

State and Local Coalition Comes Together to Appeal for Federal Aid as Fiscal Year Ends

As a new fiscal year begins for most state and local governments, a coalition of state and local organizations, business groups, labor unions and others made a unified appeal to ...
Coalition Letter Advocating for Federal Aid to State and Local Governments

Coalition Letter Advocating for Federal Aid to State and Local Governments

June 29, 2020 The Honorable Mitch McConnellMajority Leader, United States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Chuck SchumerMinority Leader, United States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-224Washington, DC 20510 ...
Short-Time Compensation Programs as a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy

Short-Time Compensation Programs as a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy

(View/Download) Introduction This memo provides governors and state officials with an overview of the Short-Time Compensation (STC) program and opportunities for developing, promoting, and expanding state STC programs during the ...
Governors Hail Passage of Great American Outdoors Act

Governors Hail Passage of Great American Outdoors Act

Governors applaud the passage of S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act. This bipartisan legislation will help states to meet their outdoor recreation needs by providing stability and certainty in ...
Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Summary Times of crisis often exacerbate the economic challenges faced by rural communities. Following the Great Recession, for example, unemployment in rural areas rose by 6 percent, and rates of ...
Delivering Workforce System Employment and Training Services Remotely

Delivering Workforce System Employment and Training Services Remotely

Summary Across the United States, American Job Centers (AJCs) provide a range of assistance to jobseekers, students, and businesses. Due to COVID-19, they have had to readjust their delivery methods ...
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State Commerce/Economic Development Actions & Initiatives For COVID-19

Summary This resource details the work that governors and state officials in economic development organizations have done in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis to support small businesses and ...
Economic Recovery Planning & Resources to Support Businesses and Local Communities

Economic Recovery Planning & Resources to Support Businesses and Local Communities

Businesses and economies across the world are feeling the impact of COVID-19. Despite having a robust economy just over a month ago, the effects of the virus are already slowing ...
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